Does anyone have good information on what the situation is like? I heard they ran out of H1 visas as early as March this year. No new visas available until October. These are likely going to be used up in no time, as many companies already have candidates selected and just wait for the day to submit the visa sponsorship. Only 65000 visas this year, as opposed to 195000 2 yrs ago. Is this true? Anyone have inside info from his/her firm? Friends? Hearsay? Are any foreigners getting hired currently?

Yes! What your do write it correct! There are only 65 000 new visas to apply for each year thanks to Bush!

Hi, yes I think it is true that there are only 65000 visas per fiscal year. Applications started 6 months prior to the first H visas with a starting date of 10/1. This means that you have to plan carefully in advance that is all. I would never ever want to defend President Bush gratuitously, but the fact that there are only 65000 temporary work visas available has I think little to do with him. In fact the law that limits the number so drastically for the fiscal year 2004 predates his term and it is simply Congress that was not careful in not amending it before it went through - to the great expense of many skilled foreign workers......

Bush actually suggested raising the number to boost the economy. So wait, if applications start 6 months prior, that does not mean those jobs are going to be counted in official payrolls statistics yet are they? They are going to be counted once these guys start working (in October or so)?Does anyone know how bad it is currently? I heard from one trader (European) who switched jobs in NY (big banks who can move mountains if they want) but since the H1 is company specific and there were no more H1s to get, the bank had to "park" him in Europe until new H1 become available. Is this how bad it is? To me this tells that 65000 H1 are going to be used up on no time once October comes around...

Well! It depends on the situation! Take care of the visa problem when you have found a company that wants to hire you!

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